Smart glass controls the transmission properties of light by alterations in heat and voltage. Various types of smart glass include thermochromic, electrochromic, photochromic, suspended particle device (SPD), polymer disperse liquid crystal (PDLC), micro-blinds, and nanocrystal glass. These glasses are majorly used in construction industry in the form of electrochromic windows.

The global smart glass market is segmented based on technology, end-user industry, and geography. According to technology, the smart glass market is categorized into thermochromic, photochromic, electrochromic, suspended particle device (SPD), polymer disperse liquid crystal (PDLC), and others (micro-blinds and nanocrystal glass). On the basis of end-user industry, the smart glass market is classified into transportation, construction, power generation, and others including display glasses at museum artwork exposition and sunglasses.

The global smart glass market is driven by increase in developments in the automotive industry, expansion in the areas of applications, rise in demand for smart glass in construction industry, and extensive advancements. However, high cost of manufacturing smart glass products and lack of awareness about emerging innovations by the service providers hinder the growth of the smart glass market.

Top Investment Pocket

Transportation is projected to be the top investment pocket in the smart glass market owing to rise in adoption of smart glass from the automotive and aerospace industry. Moreover, growth in awareness toward its ability to control heat & glare, reduce carbon emissions, and increase fuel efficiency is projected to propel the adoption of smart glass instead of normal glass in automotive industry.

Geographically, the smart glasses industry is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. North America accounted for the largest share owing to increase in the utilization of suspended particle devices (SPD) and acceleration in the production of smart glass windows. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to show highest growth rate during the forecast period.

Germany Review

Germany accounted for the highest market share in 2015, and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period.

Request for Table of Content

The Asia-Pacific smart glass market is expected to grow fastest owing to increase in adoption from construction and transportation industry, especially in the emerging economies such as China, Japan, and Korea. In addition, out of all the patents registered during 2010–2016, majority of the patents were from Korea, China, and Japan. Moreover, the production cost of smart glass is relatively low in Asia-Pacific as compared to other regions.

Rise in developmental activities in the automotive industry such as reduction of carbon emissions and enhanced fuel efficiency drives the growth of the market. Presently, people are more inclined toward smart and green housing practices. This has resulted in increased adoption of smart glass in the construction industry. Apart from that, the market also is witnessing numerous funding activities for development of smart glass. For instance, View, Inc. raised around $150 million for the development of eco-friendly smart glass. However, high investment costs is expected to hamper the market growth. Nevertheless, the impact of this restraint is projected to reduce in the future. Moreover, expanding application areas and ongoing R&D practices are anticipated to create growth opportunities for market players.

Suspended particulate devices (SPD) accounted for majority of the share in the market in 2015, and is expected to maintain its lead throughout the forecast period. SPD is a patent of Research Frontiers, a New York-based company. The company has licensed this technology to several other companies such as Innovative Glass, SmartGlass International Ltd., Schott Corporation, and others.